The third IDO concert took place in Limerick in May 2023 and was organised by an enthusiastic and increasingly experienced local subcommittee. The IDO requests feedback from its players after every event  with the aim of continuously improving our concert weekends.

Holding the baton on this occasion was Mr Liam Daly, who is a French Horn player but also an extremely experienced conductor of many orchestras and wind bands. He has a broad CV encompassing time working with both the Irish and Australian defence forces, and is now based again in Ireland. The nominated local charity for this concert was the Children’s Grief Centre, which provides support services for children affected by loss or bereavement. We rehearsed in the beautiful University of Limerick campus and appreciated the use of rehearsal space owned by the Irish Chamber Orchestra. We  performed our concert in the Redemptorist Church. Our programme included two overtures – the popular Light Cavalry Overture by von Suppe and the stunning Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by Tchaikovsky. Between these two works we played the Haydn Oboe concerto with a fantastic performance by  our soloist Dr Lukas o Brien, who hails from Limerick and is a plastic surgery trainee in addition to an accomplished musician.

We had a wonderful weekend of music, with some time out for a social event in Bunratty Castle where we were treated to a performance by the Bunratty Castle musicians and dined in style. There was a great audience for the concert on Sunday evening which went very well and we were delighted by their warm reception. We were also thrilled to raise 7956 euro for the Children’s Grief Centre.